Howard wanted the ball more last season, but the Rockets wanted Harden to have it and decide what to do with it. It led to chaos, with Howard admitting he was “disinterested” at times last season. “I thought that after we went to the Western Conference finals that we was really going to take off,” Howard said. “But it didn’t happen. I would say part of it was the communication wasn’t there between myself and James. I think we both allowed outside sources and stuff like that to kind of manipulate our thoughts and things like that. It was a learning experience for me that I take to this team — communicating, being open and up front with everybody. I thought me and James would have been very special together. He was one of the reasons I chose the city. But things don’t always end up the way we want them to. But I’m very happy for James and his success as an individual. His play has been amazing all year.”